Introduce yourself, and what do you do in the team!
My name is Mia, and I’m the Art Director on Moonlight Peaks. Aside from that, I do modelling, particularly buildings and architectural props, set-dressing, and lighting. I've been with Little Chicken for nearly four years, initially starting out as a Lighting Artist on one of our previous games, Traffic Jams.
How did you get into the games industry?
I always knew I wanted to work in a creative field, and drawing has been a constant in my life. Alongside that, I've always enjoyed playing games. When a friend told me about the Game Design Masters program at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, it just seemed like the perfect match for my interests.
At first, my plan was to dive deep into modelling, but I quickly changed my mind after getting hands-on experience working as a 3D Artist. I became more interested in working with the overall mood of each scene, and the environment as a whole. I shifted to lighting, and spend more time on set-dressing, world-building, and composition.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I typically draw inspiration from other games and artists. Simon Stålenhag is one of my favorites; I really love the atmosphere and lighting in his work. Movies also play a big role—I'm a huge fan of Wes Anderson films, and they bring in a different kind of inspiration for me. In particular, they inspire me with their composition and use of color.
Personal Artwork.
My personal projects also draw inspiration from cozy spaces. When working on dioramas, I often browse Pinterest for ideas, finding inspiration in cute shops, houses, and dollhouses. It's an easy way to capture the warmth and atmosphere I'm aiming for in my own work. At some point, I would really love to work on a game in this art style as well, perhaps a building game of some sorts.
Personal Artwork.
What are some of your favorite games, and why?
I have a few favorite games, and among them, Journey and Inside take the lead. What I like most about these games is the way they've captured distinct art styles and created very immersive worlds. Disco Elysium is also one of my favorites. I really love the hand-painted look and the storyline.
Besides that, I’ve also played a lot of life-sim games, classics like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing being personal favorites. Spiritfarer was also a standout for me, I really love the art style and animations. I also just started playing Moonstone Island, and I'm loving how they've put their own twist on things.
What is your favorite thing to work on for Moonlight Peaks?
I enjoy everything related to worldbuilding, especially the freedom to incorporate supernatural elements and quirky ideas. My favorite tasks involve working on lighting, set-dressing, and perfecting composition—basically bringing the world to life.
I enjoy taking the time to set-dress various areas, ensuring they have that inviting and cozy vibe. It's important to me that the world doesn't feel empty, so I put a lot of effort into detailing every nook and cranny.
What do you most look forward to working on for Moonlight Peaks?
I’m really looking forward to seeing how the entire town and environment will come together. I can’t wait to dive into the set-dressing for different seasons and events, and creating unique lighting setups for each area of the world.
Early concept of seasons for the game.
Tell us about your lighting and set-dressing process!
When I begin setting up a scene, I first work on getting the basic shapes and composition right. Once that's in place, I move on to figuring out the lighting. I experiment with different light sources, their intensity, and how they cast shadows to set the right mood. In Moonlight Peaks, we use a very soft lighting to keep things cozy. We keep shadows minimal, steering clear of harsh contrasts. This approach aims to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making the environment a very comfortable and relaxed place.
As I go along, I pay attention to the details in the scene—adjusting textures, materials and post-processing to make things look magical and coherent. The last step involves adding various smaller props and elements to give the scene a lived-in and cozy feel.
Set-dressing the Wine Bar.